About Michael

Man, I didn't publish a bunch of posts... welp... here's one of them!

How I just adore this little boy. Where do I even start?

Michael is a very mellow baby. He only cries or fusses for his basic needs: diaper change, food, or sleep. From the day he was born, I noticed he's a very engaging boy. What I mean is when I'm looking at him, he's lookin' right back at me. Almost like he's trying to have a conversation with me with his eyes.

He was so small at first. I just couldn't get over what a tiny little thing he was! His cry, oh that cry!! It would break my heart instead of cause irritation. In fact, to this day, I don't think I've ever felt inconvenienced by Michael's crying. I have it on video.

At his 3 day appointment, Michael weighed 6 lbs 13 oz. He was a very good sport about the exam and hardly fussed. Then the nurses had to poke his little heal to get the blood for his PKU. I will never forget this moment. It describes perfectly the kind of baby Michael is.

I had him tight in my arms, facing me so his little foot was pointing towards the nurse. She poked his foot & he immediately let out a pathetic wail. He didn't stop wailing until I nursed him, but the thing was, he did not squirm or wiggle one bit. It felt like he was bravely enduring it somehow! Like he knew it was necessary and wasn't going to fight it, but obviously it still hurt him so he cried out! He is so easily consoled by being held & loved, it's like he already has faith in it.

If Michael is crying, he will almost always stop if you sit in front of him and start talking to him. Is this a sign of being social? Not sure! But I sure do love it. He'll be HUNGRY even, and I'll just sit in front of him and play with him & he will immediately stop. All this within his first few days of life.

At his two week appointment, Michael weighed 8 lbs 1 oz. He even started getting rolls! Just what I love! So content so happy all the time. I remember being in pain from a clogged duct at this appointment, said clogged duct ended up being another story in and of itself. No shot! All was well and healthy with him.

The days I spent in the hospital the following week were the most difficult of my life. Away from my baby, missing even moments from both Jake and Michael really were the kickers for the misery I experienced while in the hospital. My stay lasted three days, then wound care lasted upwards of three weeks. HORRIBLE thing to deal with when all I want to do is be with my babies. Horrible.

Michael first smiled a REAL, non-coincidental smile at about 5 weeks, which seems remarkably early to me! Since that first smile, it's been hard for me to get any sleep at all, because whenever I wake in the night to feed him, I end up playing, trying to charm him into smiling that irresistible smile for me. It takes my whole night up. What's funny about that is it's all voluntary! He is a very good sleeper! He slept as long as five hours in a row within the first six weeks! Granted the five hours was a one time thing, but still, he'll do a good 3 or sometimes 4 hour period at night more often than not.

So about the same time he first smiled, Michael began talking too. Seriously. I would often coo a "Hi, Michael!" and to utter astonishment Michael would coo back "Ahhheey!" Are you kidding me! Darin, come listen to this, did he just say hi or am I going crazy? I was doing this all the time. If he wasn't saying "Hi" to me, he was cooing while simultaneously shrugging his shoulders at me, as though he was telling me something. Okay, this is not a lie... I PULLED A FACIAL MUSCLE one night while playing with Michael. You know, the muscle you use while grinning ear to ear... yeah, that one. Wow! I had no idea that was even possible! Michael has me smiling that big, that long, every single night with his adorable little smiles.

This may sound weird, but I really love it when Michael gets gas too. Ha! It's because of this... though he sometimes cries in discomfort, he more often than not just squirms like he's uncomfortable & that's when I come in and save the day! Haha, it's hilarious, really! I'll push his legs up towards his chin & he'll let out a good 3-5 second long toot! I'll do it over and over & get the same results too! I just laugh and laugh and laugh! Honestly, I spend so much time playing with Michael because of things like that, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Some things that get me just staring or watching my cute baby... well, Michael is quite the little chunk! So when he falls asleep he's often got that cute little double-chin thing going on.

He also sucks on his lip sometimes. I've even got it on camera!

When he sleeps, he often has his tongue sticking half out... I have a million pics of that too. :)

Michael had his 2 month appointment just last week. 11.3 lbs and 23 inches long. Wow! he was in the 75th percentile for his head, weight and length. He's growing well despite his lingering traces of jaundice. Yesss....

So he got all his 2 month immunizations as well. It honestly, truly broke my heart. He was smiling at me. The doctor even commented on how intently he held my gaze, just staring at his mommy. So, there he was smiling at me. When out of nowhere he gets surprised with FIVE horrid needles in the thighs. I know his pain scream very well now. I hear it in my nightmares. Even while trying to nurse him afterward, he was inconsolable.

Hours later when he was awake again, he was just wailing in pain. The slightest movement, yawn, sneeze, head gesture would send him into fresh hysterics. Thank heavens for Tylenol & Motrin!! I alternated him on those every four-six hours for the next 2 1/2 days. So we survived! My heart will have lingering damage for the rest of my life. There's nothing more heartbreaking than watching a helpless little soul who trusts you being subject to pain while you stand by and allow it. I shed a tear or two.

Now, Michael's favorite things are food and attention. My sweetheart baby just LOVES any face to entertain him. He is such a happy baby.  Seeing my two boys together brings more happiness than words can express.  I love that Jakob shows no signs of jealousy or insecurity at all.  I think they'll be good buddies all their lives. I hope so. :)